Toddlers Shoe with fully pivoting counter, providing easy rear entry of foot into the shoe

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of this invention relate to the design and construction method of a toddlers shoe that features a pivoting counter that completely disengages from the shoe upper. When the counter is unfastened from the upper, it is allowed to pivot up and down 180 degrees. The pivoting creates an opening in rear of the shoe allowing the user to easily insert foot into the shoe. Once foot is in the shoe, user can easily pivot the counter up to re-attach the counter to the upper, thus securing a foot into the shoe.

BACKGROUND (FIELD OF INVENTION)

This invention relates to footwear entry. Specifically it relates to footwear entry for the use of toddlers and children ages 1-5.

BACKGROUND (DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART)

The majority of manufactured shoes are constructed with an opening around the collar, a tongue, and adjustable laces to create space allowing a foot to enter into the shoe. For parents of toddlers and kids, the task of getting their child's foot into footwear with this construction method through the collar is significantly difficult.

Inventors have created several types of footwear to solve this issue. Many require expensive mold tooling, technical parts and engineering. Others have more complicated methods to solving the issue, choosing different parts or areas of the shoe to base their solutions.

U.S. Pat. 8,161,669 (Keating) 2008 discloses a complex molded outsole, specifically designed to be flexed/pivot and separate. Upon flexing, the outsole pivots (not the back counter) creating more opening in the collar. The extra room created in the collar area is minimal for foot entry. However this invention requires expensive, non-traditional manufacturing process to create the special type of outsole.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,044,063 (STRIDE RIGHT LLC) 2015 also address the need for an easier way to get an infants foot into a shoe. The major difference is in the entry point. Stride Right uses a lateral to medial closure instead of heal. This close replaced the traditional tongue and lace area and does not address rear entry. In addition, the closure overlay is cemented between upper and outsole.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,793,438 (Busse and Marvin, Reebok International Ltd) 2010 also address the need rear foot entry in a highly technical men's athletic shoe. This footwear design differs in its mechanics and overly technical engineering. The rear entry differs, as there is a separated upper and outsole. A pivoting shank mechanism on a fixed axis allows the outsole to pivot once the inner counter portion is separated from the outsole cage. This is also, a very expensive manufacturing process.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,239 (Gasparovic, NIKE INC) 2012 addresses footwear closure to receive the foot in highly technical men's athletic shoe. This footwear design differs in its mechanics and overly technical engineering as it features a hinge within a socket allowing the movement of footwear parts. This is also, a very expensive manufacturing process.

U.S. Pat. No. D575,938 (Richardson) 2008 also address the need for an easier way to get baby's foot into a shoe. This shoe also addresses rear counter entry. The major difference the use of elastic that is attached to the upper. The flexibility of the elastic part limits the amount of opening created in the collar area for foot entry. This does not create a full range opening entry point like my invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,119,436 B1 (Ardell) 2014 also address the need for an easy shoe entry specific to triathletes. This shoe is made for triathletes. and features cleated spikes that are specific and used directly in the function of triathlete sports. Furthermore, based on description and drawings, Mr. Ardell has no technical knowledge of footwear and construction methods. He claims “in FIG. 1 and includes a sole 1 having a sole 55 and a heal section 56, and heel cup section 2, that is affixed and hinged to pivot and be bent back”. Mr. Adrell does not illustrate the hinging mechanism in his drawings or how basic shoe parts are attached. His shoe could not be manufactured based on his drawings alone.

U.S. Patent: 20120079746 A1 (Ferreira, Nakaymama, Stauffer, CONVERSE INC) 2012 also addresses the need for rear shoe entry featuring a fold away counter. However in this patent, the counter is stitched down to the upper, not allowing full disengagement or pivoting as per claim. This construction limits the range of motion to just folding, not full disengagement and/or full pivoting, thus limits the amount of space to secure a foot into the shoe. My invention, completely allows the upper and counter to completely disengage. Thus allowing full pivoting as the counter is not stitched down (attached) to the upper. This allow a full 180 degrees of pivoting creating the most foot entry area of any footwear with out mechanics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A toddlers shoe comprised with an upper and a separated pivoting back counter affixed to a standard, non pivoting outsole. The pivoting counter is cemented to the standard, non pivoting, outsole. The counter cemented to the outsole underneath the strobel board. Shoe counter is fastened to upper through various methods including Velcro, laces and button.

The pivoting counter creates an easier dressing experience for the parent by creating a large rear entry space area to insert, receive and secure a toddlers foot into a shoe.

Summary of Objects and Advantages

Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of the shoe upper with pivoting counter in my patent, several objects and advantages of my patent are:

-   -   (a) Design and functionality is simple to use, saves time and         energy for parent while dressing their toddler.     -   (b) Design provides largest foot entry of any patent or shoe on         the market.     -   (c) Design, function and construction method requires commonly         used footwear manufacturing techniques. Training for new         assembly method is low level.     -   (d) Design, function and construction method are cost effective.         Processes does not require and extra expensive molding, parts,         or engineering compared to normal footwear manufacturing. Patten         is inexpensive to manufacture compared to most new footwear         technology.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from the consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the side view of the toddlers shoe with rear entry pivoting counter fully secured.

FIG. 2 shows the side view of shoe with rear entry pivoting counter after counter is unfastened and pivoted away from upper.

FIG. 3 shows the rear view of shoe with rear entry pivoting counter after counter is unfastened and pivoted away from upper.

FIG. 4 shows the side view of pivoting counter.

FIG. 5 shows the inside view of pivoting counter and parts.

FIGS. 6 and 7 shows construction method of attaching pivoting counter to outsole.

FIG. 8 shows side view off fully constructed of shoe upper

FIG. 9 shows underneath view off fully constructed of shoe upper with strobel board attached to the bottom of upper.

FIG. 10 shows construction method of assembly attaching the shoe upper with strobel board directly to the outsole with pivoting counter.

FIG. 11 shows completely assembled shoe.

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION OF INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the shoe of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1(side view) while secure. The parent will open the shoe buy pivoting the counter backward FIG. 2. The parent will slide their toddlers foot into the shoe FIG. 3 (back view) while open. The parent will secure toddlers foot into the shoe by pivoting the counter back to the upper returning shoe to FIG.1.

The preferred construction of the shoe of the invention is illustrated. The counter tail (FIG.4) is cemented on the bottom side to the heal cup area of the outsole (FIG. 6)

The upper (upper+counter) is made of common footwear materials (leathers, synthetics, non-woven, digital knit uppers, and no-sew uppers. In the counter, these materials will be sandwiched around super-tough reinforcement. This reinforcement will allow the counter to pivot, up and down, opening and closing, without fracture or tear while retaining structure over time. The thickness of the tail is 0.5-3 mm in thickness. The shape will very to cover the top surface area of the outsole it will be attached to.

Upper (FIG. 8) is attached to the counter and outsole by cementing the bottom side of the strobel board (FIG. 9-12) to the top surface of the outsole (FIG. 10)

Counter (FIG. 4) is connected or attached to upper (FIG. 8) with the use of Velcro or other method of closure/locking. (FIG. 5: 7, 11)

CONCLUSION RAMIFICATION AND SCOPE

The reader will see that the toddlers shoe with the rear entry construction design of this invention can be used by parents of toddlers for an easier experience securing footwear on their toddlers. Furthermore, this footwear construction has the following additional advantages:

-   -   (a) Design, function and construction method can be replicated         into footwear for both genders     -   (b) Design, function and construction method can be replicated         into most footwear styles: athletic style shoe, boot, dress         shoe, casual shoe, sandal     -   (c) Design, function and construction method can be replicated         into with most common footwear materials: leather, synthetic,         knitted upper, no-sew     -   (d) Design, function and construction method can be replicated         into with most common footwear outsole methods including cup,         vulcanized, cemented or injected outsoles. Common outsole         materials comprised of any sole mix or mixture of rubber, EVA         and PU.     -   (e) Design, function and construction method can be replicated         into footwear for adults 

1. An article of footwear comprising: a sole having a toe section, a heal section, medial side and lateral side. an independent upper, made of material to cover forefoot and toes, stitched and connected to a strobel board, adhered to top of an outsole a independent heal counter, made of material to cover the heal, and a tail material adhered to top of outsole permitting 180 degrees of pivoting away from forefoot. a fastening system, allowing the counter and the upper to fully disengage, pivot and re-attached to/from each other. a) Shoe of claim 1, comprised of non-pivoting, standard outsole with out mechanics or moving parts. b) Shoe of claim 1, comprised of counter that pivots up and down 180 degrees, creating rear heal entry into the shoe. c) Shoe of claim 1, comprised of fastening system that allows counter and upper to fully disengage from each other for foot entry and re-attach for shoe closure.
 2. An article of footwear construction method comprising: a) Wherein shoe in claim 1, the counter tail portion of the shoe is directly attached independently to the top of the outsole. b) Wherein shoe in claim 1, the upper is then adhered via strobel board section on top of the same outsole, independently, thus reinforcing the counter tail. c) Wherein shoe in claim 1, the counter tail is sandwiched in-between the outsole and upper, allowing the remaining unattached counter portion to freely and independently pivot 180 degrees up and down from the upper fastening connection point. d) Wherein shoe in claim 1, the fasting system on both sides of counter side and upper side allow for secure fasting of the shoe on both medial and lateral sides. e) Wherein shoe in claim 1, the fasting system on both sides of counter side and upper, on both medial and lateral sides feature hook and loop material or other fastening device. f) Wherein shoe in claim 1, features supper tuff material in the tail to prevent tearing after multiple flexes. 